Everything Jan wrote here is true and are all valid reasons. Another easier reason is, the Rangers won't pay him because THEY DON'T HAVE TO. There is a process in the NHL called the Entry Draft. This is a system that the league pays for, provides, and gives, young players a chance to easily have access into the NHL. Others that don't want to use this, they are UFA's like Justin Shultz, Torey Krug, Martin St. Louis, Mike York, etc.... UFA's never signed their rights away because they didn't take advantage of the Draft (which makes it infinitely easier to enter the NHL system). Now I bring this up because, inherently, Stepan was scouted and drafted by the Rangers. They spent the time and money to scout him and get him into their system. This is one of the reasons why the CBA has laws that protect teams who draft their players and cultivate them and develop them into Pros. So when a club has the right to play hardball with a young budding star whom which they know will suck TENS of MILLIONS out of the club in the future, it is the team's given advantage during the years of RFA to leverage that right whenever they see fit. Stepan is not getting the $5M he deserves not because he doesn't produce like a player that should, but simply because the business side of the sport deems him Rangers property and no one else's. The business side of the sport deems him ineligible for arbitration because he is with his drafted team and he has only played for so long with his originally drafted team. So to sum it up again, they aren't paying him because they don't have to. Its one of the few times EVER, a team can get a discount on a high producing player and they are taking the discount.
- xcheckmajor

Schultz and York were drafted.

This is why the NHL NEEDS to be in KC

Schultz and York were drafted.
- Blackstrom2

Your right. Shultz however declined to sign with his draft team hence becoming an unrestricted free agent.

How hard is it to get a Neely?
- djamon

Easy. It costs a Hodgson.

Well, if Murray is the next Neidermayer, then the Oilers really (frank)ed up by drafting Yakupov at #1.

Well, if Murray is the next Neidermayer, then the Oilers really (frank)ed up by drafting Yakupov at #1.
- Cimo

they did

Well, if Murray is the next Neidermayer, then the Oilers really (frank)ed up by drafting Yakupov at #1.
- Cimo

Nah, Yak is the next Bure.

Ah yes, the time of the year where prospects get so overrated. I remember when MPS for Edmonton got a hat trick in the preseason. He was gong to be a superstar!
- RogerRoeper

Also made the 1st team all star along with Maklin and datsyuk in an international tourney played before that.

He still can turn into a good player. EDM hardly displays any ability to develop anyone properly.

I would argue that our 1st overalls would be much further along and better than they currently are if they had been in another organization.

All our high pick 2nd rounders are struggling to make the NHL while other teams picking near the bottom have developed 2nd rounders who are already contributing.

Bo Horvat is Steve Yzerman V 2.0. Book it!
- fiveandagame

do you mean Yzerman is Horvat 2.0?

Because he doesn't have issues with the Rangers organization. And on top of that, here's a young kid thats only known this club, his best friend McDonagh is playing here, his other friends are playing here. I'm pretty sure he's not gonna jump ship to the crosstown rivals simply over a matter of $1M or $2M in the immediate 1 or 2 years. Any amount in an offersheet to him this year is going to be given to him in an extension next year anyway.
- xcheckmajor

yeah I mean what's a couple of mill...

Snow will not do it but don't think for a second Step would not sign the sheet. He would sign and then the onus is on the Rags to match it.

Ekland

Really

from 1990-2010 was the NJ Devils Scott Niedermayer

Your showing your Eastern bias ... Don't forget Niedermayer played for the Anaheim Ducks 2005-2010 and won a Stanley Cup with them in 2007!

Well, if Murray is the next Neidermayer, then the Oilers really (frank)ed up by drafting Yakupov at #1.
- Cimo

Nidermayer was a ppg player in all 3 of his junior seasons, Murrays best season was 46 points in 70 games.

Morgan Rielly has a higher offensive ceiling, although Murray is more responsible defensively.

I'd compare Murray to Dan Hamhuis, Safe reliable top 4 guy, who can put up some points.

Nidermayer was a ppg player in all 3 of his junior seasons, Murrays best season was 46 points in 70 games.

Morgan Rielly has a higher offensive ceiling, although Murray is more responsible defensively.

I'd compare Murray to Dan Hamhuis, Safe reliable top 4 guy, who can put up some points.
- GardinerExpress

The next hamhuis? You have just drained all of the excitement
And intrigue out of this blog.